Web-chat willies

Government had commandeered all clinics and surgeries to fight the ever-mutating virus.

After many iterations, the virus became so virile it, ironically, overran the clinics.

Medical services became stretched, displaced, overwrought.

Phone appointments touched only the tips of icebergs, before melting down altogether.

Zoom had limited uses: fine for the young, but eldery patients missing appointments rocketed to critical levels, becoming unofficial virus victims.

The breakthrough came when Government granted (and paid for) NHS 3-D printing patents. With USB plug-in compatability, treatment became tangible again, albeit indirectly.

That was when Paolo decided he'd be safe taking the sperm test. He and Maria had tried (and tried) until the bed had collapsed, but no bambino for their efforts.

***

His parcel soon came, printer and all. The only instructions:

• connect to wifi;
• insert disc;
• follow on-screen instructions.

Eventually, everything was set up, printer whirring, sensors on. Paolo readied himself for the next prompt.

» Approach screen wearing loose underwear

"OK," he thought, so, did.

Bad move. Tears welled in his eyes as printed suction cups instantaneously sought, suckered, shook and sucked his genitals.

Through bleary eyes he read the parting message: The NHS: we're coming for you!

If only?!?!

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This piece of flash fiction was inspired by this writing prompt in the Sci-Fi Roundtable Facebook group:

Thursday Writing Activity

Write a flash fiction about this piece and let us see how you use it as story fuel!

1. Write a flash fiction inspired by the article.
2. 200 words is the limit.
   • If you find yourself wanting to write more, post the first 200 words in the comments and direct people to the rest that you upload in the files.

People in video meetings will, in future, be able to feel their hands being shaken and smell coffee in their virtual space, the founder and CEO of Zoom has predicted.

Eric Yuan was speaking at the Web Summit tech conference.

Mr Yuan said he believed artificial intelligence would bring a physical aspect to virtual meetings.